Method for firing projectiles underwater

ABSTRACT

A UNIQUE AND IMPROVED METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FIRING OR LAUNCHING PROJECTILE UNDERWATER. THE METHOD UTILIZES A WEAPON OR GUN IN WHICH STANDARD BLANK CARTRIDGES ARE USED FOR FIRING OR DISCHARING THE PROJECTILE. THE METHOD INCLUDES THE STEP OF FITTING A WATER TIGHT SLEEVE ONTO THE BLANK CARTRIDGE, ENCLOSING A BODY OF AIR, LOADING THE PROJECTILE SUCH AS A SPEAR INTO THE WEAPON FROM THE MUZZLE END, AND LOADING THE CARTRIDE WITH THE WATER TIGHT SLEEVE INTO A BORE BEHIND THE PROJECTILE. THE INVENTION IS PARTICULARLY ADAPTED FOR SPEAR GUNS FOR UNDERWATER USE USING BLANK CARTRIDGES. THE SLEEVE REFERRED TO ENCLOSING   AIR, EXCLUDES WATER ALLOWING UNDERWATER LOADING AND PROVIDES FOR SUFFICIENT POWER THAT DESIRED LAUNCHING VELOCITY IS IMPROVED IN THAT A SPEAR ARE REALIZED. THE APPARATUS IS IMPROVED IN THAT A BREECH MEMBER IS PROVIDED TO RECEIVE THE CARTRIDE WHICH IS ECCENTRICALLY PIVOTED TO THE RECEIVER WITH THE PIVOT AXIS ABOUT THE BORE IN THE BREECH SO THAT THE BREECH MEMBER IS ROTATED UPWARDLY FOR LOADING THEREBY FACILITATING PRACTICE OF THE METHOD UNDERWATER.

A. S. JOHNSON METHOD FOR FIRING PROJECTILES UNDERWATER Nov 9 14971 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. l0, 1969 wm wm am NA wm Ir.. if ,NN we Nov. 9, 1971 A. s. JOHNSON METHOD FOR FIRING PROJECTILES UNDERWATER 3 Sheets-Sheet Z Filed Feb. l0,

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www ww`w\www www www www www www www INVENTOR U www A7 70K/V616 .m @Nui Nm@ www www INVENTOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 A. S. JOHNSON METHOD FOR FIRING PROJECTILES UNDERWATER AMA/V 5. Jam/50M BY wz/MU Nov. 9, 1971 Filed Feb. 1o, 1969 wmv Ng @mw lnited States Patent O 3,618,244 METHOD FOR FIRIING PROJECTILES UNDERWATER Allan S. Johnson, 845 W. 16th St., Costa Mesa, Calif. 92627 Continuation-impart of application Ser. No. 700,816,

`lan. 26, 1968. This application Feb. 10, 1969, Ser.

Int. Cl. 1F4lc 27/00,l F41f 1/00 US. Cl. 42-1 lL 7 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE A unique and improved method and apparatus for ring or launching projectile underwater. The method utilizes a weapon or gun in which standard blank cartridges are used for ring or discharging the projectile. The method includes the step of fitting a water tight sleeve onto the blank cartridge, enclosing a body of air; loading the projectile such as a spear into the weapon from the muzzle end; and loading the cartridge with the water tight sleeve into a bore behind the projectile. The invention is particularly adapted for spear guns for underwater use using blank cartridges. The sleeve referred to enclosing air, excludes water allowing underwater loading and provides for sufficient power that desired launching velocity and accuracy of the spear are realized. The apparatus is improved in that a breech member is provided to receive the cartridge which is eccentrically pivoted to the receiver with the pivot axis about the bore in the breech so that the breech member is rotated upwardly for loading thereby facilitating practice of the method underwater.

This application is `a continuation-inpart of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 700,816 led on Ian. 26, 1968, and now abandoned.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to an improved method of launching or firing projectiles or missiles underwater and to improvements in methods of providing for loading of the gun or launcher underwater. The invention is particularly adapted to spear guns which are fired underwater. A particular attribute of the invention is that it makes possible a successful spear gun which can be fired underwater using standard blank cartridges as the power source for driving the spear out of the spear gun.

The invention is described herein, in exemplary and preferred forms as being adapted in a spear gun.

The invention will be better understood if brief reference is made to the present state of the art in regard to spear fishing and the use of spear guns. Spear `fishing commonly is undertaken by Scuba divers and the types of spear guns presently used are well known. A conventional type of spear gun as presently used is a rather unwieldly and cumbersome device which is on the order of a crossbow or catapult. Rubber bands are stretched and used to drive an elongated spear which is fired at fish or other animals. The stretching of the rubber bands is done manually and is, of course, a very strenuous undertaking. It cannot easily be done underwater and, therefore, the gun has to be cocked on board a boat out of the water so that danger is involved in manipulating and carrying the weapon underwater.

Another type of spear gun uses compressed air and a piston which must be manually operated in order to cock the gun by compressing the air. This, of course, requires strenuous physical effort and the power of the weapon is limited by the manual effort that can be exerted to compress the air in it.

The present invention, particularly as to the method as embodied in a gun or weapon for spear `fishing fully overcomes all of lthe deficiencies of known types of guns or weapons for this purpose and realizes a number of additional advantages the realization of which constitute objects of the invention.

The invention makes possible the successful use of standard blank cartridges in a spear gun fired underwater. The invention provides for a sleeve enclosing a body of air which is secured to the blank cartridge in watertight relationship, with the sleeve and cartridge being loaded into the bore of the gun or launcher or into a bore in the projectile itself. 1t has been found that it is necessary to have this enclosed body of air for the cartridge to provide adequate power to drive the projectile or spear at desired velocities and with the desired accuarcy. The necessary volume of air enclosed is dependent upon the depth at which the projeticle is red. The sleeve secured to the cartridge in watertight relationship may be made of shatterable or other material and makes possible successful underwater loading of the weapon in accordance with the method of the invention. Preferably the spear is loaded from the muzzle end and is pushed back through the breech. Preferably the sleeve on the cartridge has means for attaching it to the end of the spear which is then moved forwardly with the sleeve and cartridge loaded into the bore in the breech in a manner to exclude water but with the enclosed body of air in the sleeve within the bore. Cartridges with sleeves attached may be clipped onto the top of the gun and merely removed from their clips for loading under water. When a projectile is used of the type having a bore in the projectile into which the cartridge is loaded, the air enclosed within the sleeve is compressed in the bore in the projectile at the time of firing and the compressed gasses and air are discharged or jetted from the bore in the projectile while it is in flight.

The invention is adaptable in various types of weapons of the type referred to, particularly spear guns. Practice of the invention is particularly suited to a preferred form of spear gun as describde herein. In this form of spear gun a breech member is provided which is pivotally attached by way of an eccentric pivot to the receiver of the spear gun, the pivot axis being above the central axis of the breech member. The breech member is rotatable upwardly with respect to the pivot axis to bring the loading bore into a position above the gun thereby faciliating loading in accordance with the method of the invention. Further improvements reside in a breech lock sleeve whereby the rotatable breech member is locked to the receive of the ygun in position for firing wherein the firing pin can strike the rim of the cartridge in loaded position for rim firing.

Having the foregoing in mind and having reference to the exemplary forms of the invention described in detail herein, the primary object of the invention is to provide an improved method of firing projectiles fromv weapons such as spear guns under water using standard blank cartridges. A further object is to provide an improved method of preparing the cartridges and loading them underwater. The method includes the steps as described above of securing the watertight sleeve to the cartridge and loading into the bore of the spear gun in a manner to exclude water.

Another object is to make possible successful firing of spear guns underwater using standard blank cartridges by enclosing a body of air in a watertight sleeve secured to the cartridge, the body of air being ahead of the cartridge in a bore in the gun or in a projectile itself.

Another object is to provide improvements like those of the preceding object including providing a projectile or spear having a bore in it adapted to receive a cartridge having secured to it a sleeve enclosing a body of air.

A further object is to insure safety by providing sleeves adapted to receive cartridges of only predetermined sizes which are insertable into a bore either in a gun or in a projectile.

Further objects reside in improvements in the spear gun used and in the mechanisms for causing a line attached to the spear gun to trail after being released upon firing of the gun.

Further objects and additional advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and annexed drawings, wherein:

FIG. I1 is a perspective view of an exemplary form of the invention adapted in a spear gun;

FIG. 2 is a sectional vieW of the form of the invention shown in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a detail view taken along the line 3--3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of an exemplary form of projectile or missile and ammunition used with the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a modified form of the invention adapted as a hand gun;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a projectile or missile and ammunition which is slightly modified with respect to that of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a preferred form of projector adapted in a spear gun and using ammunition like that of FIG. 11;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. l0 is a sectional View taken along line l0-10 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a preferred modified form of ammunition which may be used with any form of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a partial perspective view of the projector of FIG. 8 illustrating underwater loading;

FIG. l3 is a partial view of a preferred form of spear used with the spear gun or projector.

FIG. 2 is a view in cross-section of an exemplary form of the invention adapted as an underwater spear fishing gun. FIG. 1 shows the device in perspective. Numeral 10 designates generally the launcher or projector. It comprises a tube 12 made of suitably strong material having a bore 14. At one end, the tube 12 is threaded into a tubular handle 16 having in it a bore 118 within which is coil spring 20. Around the handle 16 is a plastic grip 17. Within the bore 14 is an elongated rod-like hammer 26, the end of which bears against the coil spring 20. In the side of the tube is a bayonet slot 28, having an axial part 29 and a circumferential part 30. Extending out from the rod or stern 26 is a handle member 32 which forms a trigger which will be described. By means of the trigger handle, the hammer 26 can be pulled back in the tube 12 against the force of spring 20 and then locked in this position with the handle 32 in the circumferential part 30 of the slot 28. When the handle is moved circular- 1y to move the part 32 into the axial part 29 of the slot 28, the trigger is released and the spring 20 forces the hammer 26 to the right.

At the right end of the tube y12 is the launcher or breech part of the weapon. As previously indicated, the device may take the form of a weapon although it might take a form in which it is not a weapon but rather a projectile or missile and launching means therefor. In FIG. 2, numeral 40 designates the launcher or breech part of the device. The launcher comprises a cylindrical member 42 having a threaded bore `44 at one end into which is threaded the end of the tube 12. At the other end, the launcher 40 has a cylindrical part 50 of smaller diameter which is axially slotted as shown at S2 and 54 and which has a bore 56. The bore 56 receives the projectile 58 which will be described presently. yOppositely disposed in the cylindrical part 42 are radial bores 64 and 66 which are threaded and in which are coil springs 68 and 70 which press against balls 72 and 74 which form ball detents to hold the projectile in place as will be described. The spring 68 is retained by a threaded member 76 and the spring 70 is retained by the threaded member 78. The balls 72 and 74 engage an annular groove 73 in the projectile 58, the restraining force which is exerted being adjustable by adjusting the threaded members 76 and 78 which hold springs 68 and 70. By such adjustment various desired characteristics can be realized as respects launch velocity, trajectory, striking force or impact force, etc., as will be described.

FIG. 2 includes a cross-sectional view of an exemplary form of projectile or missile and ammunition combination. It has a cylindrical body 82 having an axial bore 84 having a discharge opening 86 at the end. In the form shown the projectile has three radial triangular fins as shown at 90 which are received in the axial slots in the part 50 of the launcher when the projectile is positioned in the launcher as shown in FIG. 2. One of the fins as designated at 90 has a hole 94 to which may be attached a line 96 wound on a reel 100 which will be referred to again presently. Formed in the bore 84 adjacent to the end opening 86 is an annular groove 102 which receives an O-ring seal 104 in FIG. 2. Numeral 106 designates a blank cartridge which may be a conventional cartridge, such as might be fired in a rifle or pistol. In the exemplary form of the invention, this may be a 22 caliber blank cartridge either short, long or long rifle. The cartridge is fitted into the open end 86 of the projectile 58 as shown in FIG. 2. The bore 84 in the projectile may be thought of as being similar to a rifle bore with the open end 86 being the breech end with the cartridge 106 fitted into the breech. The cartridge is, of course, fitted into the projectile before the projectile is loaded into the launcher, the bore in the projectile then being sealed by the engagement between the cartridge 106 and the O-ring 104.

inasmuch as the invention in the exemplary form shown is intended for use underwater, provision is made to facilitate loading underwater. For this purpose, ammunition or cartridges of the type as shown in FIG. 5 are provided. The cartridge 106 is like that shown in FIG. 2, lbut is additionally provided with a cylinder or sleeve, one end of which is closed, and at the end which receives the cartridge 106, it has a flange 114. The sleeve 112 is preferably made of a thin combustible or shatter-type plastic material which will burn up or disintegrate upon detonation of the cartridge and firing of the projectile. However, it may be made of various other suitable materials. Cartridges of the type shown in FIG. 2 may be carried by a skindiver in belt loops so that underwater loading of the Weapon is facilitated. It is not desired that the bore 84 have water in it at the time the projectile is fired. Thus, when a cartridge, such as that shown in FIG. 5, is loaded into the bore 84, the water in the bore is expelled and the air contained within the sleeve or cylinder 112 is within the bore of the projectile. It has been discovered that for purposes of underwater firing it is necessary to have the air enclosed in sleeve 112, the amount of air needed depending on the depth. Without the enclosed air very little power and launching velocity can be realized whereas with it, great power and accuracy are possible.

Referring `again to FIG. 2 of the drawings, numeral 12.0 designates a firing pin within the tube 12. The firing pin comprises a cylinder 122 which is axially movable a short distance in an end bore 124 in the tube 112. Carried by the cylinder 122 is a cylindrical firing pin stem 126 which slides in a bore 128 in the launcher 40 and has an end projection positioned to engage a point on the rim of the cartridge 106 for firing it. The firing pin 120 may be struck by the hammer 26, as Will be described, for firing the cartridge and launching the projectile.

The reel 100 is of a conventional type having a spindle and flange plates 140 and 142, the line 96 being wound on the spindle between the ange plates, the plate 140 having a crank handle 144. Preferably, `a friction adjustment is provided for adjusting the restraint olered to unwinding of the line 96 by the reel. The flange plate 142 is attached to a bracket 150 which is secured by the tube 12 by bushings 151 and 153. This lbr-acket has an extending part 152 with an eye 154 in it through which the line 96 passes and, preferably, this eye is arranged to slide in a slot 155 to facilitate winding and unwinding the line 96 relative to the reel. A swivel 156 is provided in the line 96. Numeral 160 designates an eye secured to launcher 40 through which line 96 passes.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will understand the operation and use of the invention as so far described. The projectile is loaded for tiring by insertion of the cartridge into the open discharge or breech end of it, as described above. When the weapon is being used underwater, a cartridge, such as that shown in FIG. 5, is used which expels water from the bore 84 when the cartridge is inserted. The projectile is then loaded into the launcher into a position, as shown in FIG. 2, with the fins 90 in the axial slots in the part 50 of the launcher. The balls 72 and 74 of the ball detents engage in the annular groove 73 at the rear part of the projectile so that the projectile is held in the launcher with a force determined by adjustment of the threaded members 76- and 78. The weapon is armed by manipulating the handle 32 in the slot 28 to pull the hammer back against the spring 20, at which position the weapon is armed and the hammer may be held in this position by cooperation of the trigger lever 32 with the bayonet slot 28. To re the weapon, the trigger handle 32 is simply manipulated to release it from the circumferential part of the bayonet slot 28 and the spring 20 then drives the hammer 26 forward so that it strikes the pin 120, and the pin 126 then strikes the rim of the cartridge 106 and fires it. At the time of firing, there is air within the bore 84 of the projectile. When the cartridge is fired, the exploding gases discharge into the bore 84 and compress the air therein to a high pressure. This lbuilding up of pressure and compression of air within the projectile takes place lbefore the projectile leaves the launcher, it being held in position by the ball detents as described above. When sufcient pressure has been built up to overcome the retaining force of the ball detents, the projectile is discharged from the launcher tube. The gases from the exploding charge and the compressed air then discharge rearwardly through the open discharge end 86 of the projectile. At the time of firing of the cartridge, its base is, of course, rmly seated aganist the seating surface of the launcher 40 adjacent to the bore 128. When the projectile is launched the cartridge case 106 is left in position, as shown in FIG. 2, and then it simply falls out of the bore 56 of the launcher tube.

As pointed out, the projectile is launched when the pressure of uid therein reaches a point sucient to overcome the holding force of the ball detents. The projectile is then propelled by gases discharging therefrom. It may be seen, therefore, that the projectile or missile can accelerate after leaving the launcher to velocities exceeding the velocity at the time of launching. The amount of pressure that builds up within the projectile before it is launched depends on the adjustment of the springs pressing on the balls 72 and 74.

The cartridge and sleeve may have any suitable construction which retains air to be compressed.

FIG. 6 shows a second exemplary form of the invention adapted as a hand gun. The gun is shown in crosssection in FIG. 6. The gun comprises a frame part 200 which may be fabricated of suitable material providing a handle or pistol grip part 202, at the upper part of which is the receiver part 204 having a bore 206 in which is the cylindrical hammer 208 similar to that of the previous em- 6 bodiment. In the bore 206 is a coil spring 210 which acts on the hammer 208.

The frame 200 is congurated. at the forward part thereto to provide a trigger guard 212 which is in a position underneath the forward part of the receiver 204.

Numeral 214 designates a tubular part or barrel threaded into the receiver 204 corresponding to part 12 of the previous embodiment with respect to which the embodiment of FIG. 6 may otherwise be similar. Numeral 220 designates a slot in the sidewall of the receiver 204 and extending outwardly through the slot is a stem 222 having a handle 224 on the end by means of which the hammer 208 can be drawn back against the spring 210 nad cocked. The hammer is held in cocked position by the trigger sear lever 230 which is pivoted on a transverse pivot pin 232, the sear being within the gun frame 200 in an opening over the trigger guard 212. The trigger scar 230 is contoured on the upper side to provide an angular point or shoulder 234 which is engageable in an angular slot or indentation 236 in the hammer 208, so that when the hammer is drawn back into cocked position the trigger sear 230 holds it in that position until released or triggered. The trigger sear 230 has a rounded extending projection 240' which is engageable in an opening or cutout 242 in the trigger 244. The trigger has a configuration or contour, as shown, the trigger being pivoted on a transverse pin 246. The front edge of the trigger is curved, as shown at 248, adapting it to be engaged by a finger inserted through the trigger guard 212. On the rear side of the trigger 244 is an extending lug or projection 252 having an opening 254 in it and connected to this opening is a coiled trigger spring 256, the other end of `which is attached to a pin 258 within the lower part of the pistol grip or handle 202. The spring 256 tends to urge the trigger in a counterclockwise direction. When the trigger 244 is engaged by a finger and pulled in a clockwise direction, the cut-out or opening 242 which engages the extension or projection 240 on the trigger sear 230 causes the trigger sear 230 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction so that the projection or shoulder 234 releases from the notch 236 and triggers the weapon, that is, res it, as will be described.

The trigger guard 212 has an opening or slot 262 in its lower part in which the lower end of the trigger can move.

A safety is provided on the gun or weapon to prevent accidental triggering or firing. Numeral 264 designates a transverse stem having an eccentric disc 266 on it within the pistol grip handle. The eccentric disc '266 acts against one branch 268 of a harpin type spring 270 mounted on a stem 272 within the handle or pistol grip. The stem 264 extends out through a side of the pistol grip and on its end is a safety lever 274 by which the eccentric disc 266 can be rotated into a position engaging an extending projection or shoulder 278 on the trigger 244 wherein the trigger cannot be moved in a direction to operate the trigger sear 230 to release the tiring pin so that the weapon cannot be fired when it is thus set in the safety position.

FIG. 7 shows a slightly modified form of projectile designated by the numeral 308 which is like the projectile 58 except that the shatterable sleeve 112 is omitted.

Ammunition, that is, loads presently commercially available, are adapted for use with the forms of the invention shown. Ammunition may be readily specially designed, of course, adapting it for underwater use as described herein, and such ammunition makes possible many adaptations of the invention as described herein. For example, a bolt action rifle may be made with non-corrosive parts and with the barrel sawed off or shortened it can be adapted for underwater use using the specially designed ammunition. The projectile 308 shown in FIG. 7 is provided with slots 350 and 352 to accommodate it to the presence of an extractor element in known types of guns. The ammunition as described herein may be used in known forms of guns adapted as described, that is, types of guns having a repeating action, including a magazine from which the cartridges are fed into the breech which, in this instance, would be into the rear part of the projectile 308 which similarly to the operation in a repeating type of weapon would be automatically positioned in the launcher part of the Weapon. In Summary, the invention as described herein, may be adapted in repeating types of weapons or launchers. In FIG. 7 the projectile has a bore 334 in which is received a blank cartridge 328 of suitable caliber, having a rim 326. Projectile 308 has recesses as shown at 336 for the holding detents.

From the foregoing, those skilled in the art will readily understand the operation of the form of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The operation is quite similar to that of the previous embodiment. Projectile 308 is loaded into the launcher merely by being inserted therein as described in connection with the previous embodiment. The gun is cocked by pulling the lever 224 back and locking it by the triggger sear 230 which is then releasable for firing by pulling the trigger 244. On pulling the trigger, the hammer 208 is released. It strikes the tiring pin which strikes the rim of the cartridge firing it. The projectile is launched as in the previous embodiment.

The tiring device or launcher as may be seen is of extremely simple but rugged construction. The launcher part is of simple construction and may be readily made sufficiently sturdy to insure complete safety of operation. Cocking of the device or weapon is extremely simple as described in the foregoing requiring very little effort, with triggering accomplished simply by releasing the cocking lever or hammer.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 are directed to a preferred form of the invention which takes the form of a spear gun adapted for convenient manual handling, both on the surface and underwater. This form of the invention is particularly significant in that the projectile is in the form of simply a cylindrical spear. See FIG. 13. The projector or gun is constructed to permit breech loading of the cartridge that launches the projectile or spear and the breech loading action is of a unique and improved nature. Preferably the body of the gun is constructed to have two pistol grips as designated at 400 and 402 which may be fabricated from plastic parts assembled together to form a housing. FIG. l is a section through the forward grip 402 and as will be noted, it is formed of two side members 404 and 406 which are assembled to form the housing.

The trigger and ring pin action in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 is quite similar to that of the form of the invention as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6 and corresponding parts are identified by similar reference characters so that the descriptions of these parts need not be repeated. The housing part of the gun which may be fabricated out of plastic from the side members such as shown at 404 and 406 is designated generally at 410, it having an upper generally cylindrical part as designated at 412 with the piston grips or handles 400 and 402 extending downwardly from the cylindrical part. The side members may be secured together by screws such as shown at 413. Numeral 415 designates clips on the top of the weapon for holding cartridges ready to be grasped for loading and ring.

Mounted in the housing 410 is a forward cylindrical member or receiver 420 having a part within which is a bore 422 for the firing pin 419, firing pin bushing 421 and tiring pin spring 423. Hammer sleeve 425 contains hammer 424 in a position wherein it can strike ring pin 419.

At the rear of the frame `410, within it is another cylindrical member 434 mounted therein and having in it a bore 436. Hammer i424 ts in hammer sleeve 425 and its rear end fits into the bore 436 in the member 434 and it is urged forwardly by a coil spring 440. The hammer 424 is operable by a stem or handle 444 at its end, the stem being operable in slot 446 in the frame 410. The

8 handle 444 is thin or narrow transversely so that its movement through the `water is not impeded.

At the forward part of the projector or weapon is a launching member identified by numeral 450, this member or launcher having a breech as will be described. The rear part of this member is designated at 452 and is cylindrical preferably having the same diameter as the large end of the member 420. The member 450 has forwardly extending therefrom barrel sleeve 449 and barrel 451 which are eccentric with respect to the part 452 and the barrel has bore 456 for the projectile or missile 458. The member or launcher 450 is pivotally attached to the projector or gun that is to the member 420 by means of an elongated pin or stem 460 which extends axially through the part 452 in a bore 462, this stem having a head 464 on its end, and its other end as shown at 466 being threaded into the member 420, that is the end part 421 of this member. The member 450 has a short end breech bore or counterbore 472. At the forward end of the barrel there is carried a sleeve 474 having a sight on it and underneath it a hook 470 on which may be wound a line connecting to the spear 458 as will be described in connection with FIG. 13. Bore 462 is closed by a plug 463 with an oil seal 465 retained therein.

As shown in FIG. 8 the part 452 0f launcher 450 is shown aligned with the cylindrical part 421 of member 420. It is movable from this position into a position as shown in broken lines in FIG. 10. This action will be described further presently.

Numeral 481 designates a ribbed manually slidable breech lock sleeve that fits over part 452 and the end of part 420. It locks these parts together in the position of FIG. 8 and when moved to its broken line position, the breech can be opened to the position shown in FIG. 12. Breech lock spring 482 normally urges sleeve 481 rearwardly. At its rear end it has an extending ange 483 with an arcuate cut out forming angularly spaced shoulders one of which may be seen at 484 in FIG. 12 these shoulders serving to lock against member 420 to hold sleeve 481 in angular position. The operation of opening the breech and loading underwater will be described in connection with the preferred form of ammunition shown in FIG. 11.

A preferred form of cartridge is shown at 490 which is similar to the cartridge as shown in FIG. 5. It comprises a blank cartridge 492 which may be a conventional blank cartridge of any of various calibers having an end rim 494. Extending forwardly from the cartridge 492 is a sleeve 496 which may be made from any suitable material but preferably a shatterable plastic or the like. Numeral 498 designates an end plug in the forward end of the sleeve. Preferably a washer 500 is used in the breech 472 between the end rim 494 of the cartridge and the sleeve 496 but this is not imperatively necessary.

FIG. 8 shows the spear 458 loaded into the "bore 456 in the launcher, its end abutting against the end of the cartridge 490. The action is operable by moving the launcher about the pivot axis of stem 460 from a position as shown in FIG. 8 to that shown in FIG. l2 and back again, the sleeve 481 being operated as described above. In loading, the spear is loaded from the muzzle, is pushed all the way back into the breech and the cartridge is then loaded behind it, the water being kept out.

In the position of FIG. 8, the back rim of the cartridge 492 partly overlaps the end of the bore 422. The tiring pin 419 is on the end of the `firing pin stem 424 in a position for rim tiring of the cartridge 492. When the cartridge is tired, the effect and operation are similar to those as described in connection with the previous embodiments. The air space provided in the cartridge permits for complete combustion and generation of pressures `which launch the projectile and drive it, and assures full utilization of the energy in the explosive charge. The action for loading and unloading is extremely simple but effective, and yet very safe and positive. The launcher of the action is moved into a position as shown in FIG. 12. The fired cartridge can be discharged merely by inserting the spear 458 into the bore 456 and forcing the used cartridge out. A new cartridge is then inserted in the breech and the action is returned to the position of FIG. 8. Repeated firing can then take place. The construction is such as to exclude water when the breech is opened and closed facilitating underwater usage.

Numeral 510 designates a reel having plates 512 which is provided in the upper part of the forward handle or pistol grip 402. This reel is mounted on a cross stem 514, one end of which is set in a bore 516 in the side wall 406 and the other end of which has a part 518 of smaller diameter extending through an aperture 520 in the side wall 404, and having a crank 522 on its end for turning the reel to wind up the line 525 attached to the spear.

At the time of firing several lengths or bights of line can be wound or looped onto the gun or weapon between the hook 470 and one of the legs such as that shown at 530 on a pronged rotor 532. This rotor is mounted in the housing 410 forwardly of the trigger 244 on a vertical stem or spindle 534 carried on a horizontal web 536 within the frame 410. As the rotor 532 is rotated, one of its legs 530 normally extends out laterally through a slot 538 in the side wall of the frame 410, the other legs of the rotor being in a slot 540 in the opposite side of the frame. The trigger 244 has a forwardly extending lug or shoulder 542 which interlocks with the rotor 532 as shown in FIG. 9 so that the rotor cannot rotate in a counterclockwise direction looking at FIG. 9 except when the trigger is pulled to release it. As indicated above, several lengths or bights of the line 525 can be looped between the hook 470 and one leg of the rotor 532 at the time the gun is tired, When the trigger is pulled, the rotor 532 is released and thus these lengths or bights of line are released to allow complete freedom of travel of the spear 458 carrying the line behind it. When the spear is to be recovered the reel 510 is operated to wind itin.

FIG. 11 of the drawings shows a form of cartridge sleeve particularly adapted for commercial usage. and which is a preferred form of sleeve having particularly desirable features. The sleeve is designated generally at 550. It comprises a generally cylindrical body similar t the sleeve of previous embodiments. Some Variations are embodied in this sleeve to accommodate it to commercial purposes. It may be made of similar materials. In one end there is provided a counterbore 552 which forms a chamber for the cartridge 106. The length and diameter of the chamber are such that a safety factor is provided in that only a cartridge of the appropriate size can be tted in and not a larger size which might be unsafe. At the other end of the sleeve it is closed by a thin membrane 554 which may be for example, .020 inch in thickness spaced inwardly from the end of the sleeve. The missile or spear 556 is provided with a short extending stern 558 at the end of which is an inward taper towards the end of the spear. This stern is insertable into the end of the sleeve 550 and against the membrane 554 so that in position in the launcher the spear is held in so that it cannot accidentally fall out. At the other end the sleeve 550 has a flange 560 having a purpose as will be described.

Between the sleeve 550 and the cartridge 106 there is provided a metal washer '62 having a bore or hole 564 of a size to receive the cartridge. The washer bears against flange 560. The washer also has a short flange 566 having an axial extent equal to the axial extent of the rim 568 on the cartridge 106. In position in the barrel of the launcher the ange 566 is flush with the end face of the member 452 and faces and abuts against the member 420, the rim of the cartridge being in a position to be rim fired by the firing pin. The end of the sleeve 550 is abutted against the metal washer 562 and in this manner the purpose is served of preventing deforming the sleeve 550 at the time of firing or causing it to extrude in between the abutting faces of members 452 and 420 which might otherwise happen. This might occur because relatively large forces are developed at the time the weapon is fired the spear, of course, having considerable mass requiring large forces to accelerate it which without the washer 5:62 might cause the sleeve to deform or extrude as described.

The method of loading cartridges as shown at 550 is like that described in connection with =FIG. 8 the sleeve being attached to the spear by way of projection 558.

The sleeve as described accommodated itself to the realization of a number of purposes. The gun or weapon can be manufactured by a manufacturer who does not manufacture, supply or ship ammunition which is subject to particular shipping requirements'. The gun or weapon is not adapted to receive cartridges except with the sleeve provided. The sleeve can be sold separately and the gun or weapon is not actually a firearm until the sleeve has been incorporated and a cartridge then fitted into the sleeve, the sleeve being adapted as stated to receive only one size of cartridge to avoid an unsafe condition resulting from too large a cartridge being used.

FIG. 13 designates a preferred form of spear designated generally at 572. The spear comprises a cylindrical body 574 having an enlarged tapered point 576. Pivotally attached to the point 576 are a pair of transversely arcuate barbs 580 and 582 which can move outwardly as indicated by the arrows. Normally in flight these barbs are held in the position shown in FIG. 3 by the axially slidable collar 584 which has a bore into which the ends of the barbs can fit as shown.

On the stern of the spear 574 is a collar 588 having a tapered part and retained inside of which is the end of the line 590. Slidable on the stem 574 is a bracket 592 having an extending part 5'94 through which the line 590 passes having a loop 596 at its end to which lis attached the line 598 which extends back to the reel. The sliding member 592 contributes to the purpose of causing the line 590 to trail behind the spear after it is red, it having at times been diflicult to accomplish this in the prior art. When the spear enters or goes through the body of the fish the collar 584 is forced backward allowing the barbs 580 and 582 to spring outwardly under the influence of rubber plug members extending radially from a transverse bore 600 in the end of the spear. These plug members serve to bias the barbs 580 and 582 in the bore or counterbore in the collar 584 to normally hold the parts in position as shown in FIG. 13 while the spear is in flight.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will understand the nature and construction of all forms of the invention and the manner in which the objects and advantages set forth in the foregoing are realized.

'I'he foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred exemplary forms of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of underwater loading of a spear having a bore in it in a launcher having a muzzle end and a breech end and having a bore, comprising the steps of; fitting a frangible sleeve enclosing a volume of air onto a blank cartridge in lwater-tight relationship, loading the cartridge and sleeve with the enclosed air into one of the aforesaid bores so as to expel water therefrom, loading the spear into the launcher from the muzzle end and pushing it back into the breech end whereby upon firing of the cartridge, the air is compressed for driving the spear outwardly.

2. A method as in claim 1 including the step of attaching the rear end of the spear to the end of the sleeve.

3. A method as in claim 1 including the step of loading 1 1 the sleeve and cartridge into a bore in a launcher behind the spear.

4. A method as in claim 1 including the step of loading the sleeve and cartridge into a bore in a spear itself.

5. A method as in claim 1 including the step of forming the sleeve from a deformable synthetic material and placing a rigid Washer between the end of the sleeve and the rim of the cartridge to prevent deforming of the sleeve when the launcher is red.

6. A method as in claim 1, including the step of positioning the sleeve to extend forwardly from the blank cartridge in the. bore and disintegrating the sleeve upon detonation of the cartridge.

7. A method as in claim 1, including the step of extending the sleeve into the said bore an amount several times the length of the cartridge.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,789,465 4/ 1957 McDonald 42-1 L 2,888,768 6/1959 Taylor 42-1 L 3,048,849 8/1962 De `Caro et al 102-38 3,139,692 7/1964 Sellers et al 42-1 L 3,288,066 11/ 1966 Stadler et al. 102-38 FOREIGN PATENTS 166,015 11/1955 Australia 42--1 L BENJAMIN A. BORCHELT, Primary Examiner C. T. JORDAN, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 102--38, 48 

